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The Recipe · No.147 · Beef Empanadas

Beef Empanadas, and where to source it

Beef Empanadas — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Beef Empanadas Mexican 5best2buy.com

Half the dish is the dough, so reach for a good baking flour and keep the butter cold enough to leave flakes rather than cardboard. The rest is about the seal: work quickly so nothing warms up, and crimp the edges tight. A well-closed empanada steams its filling inside instead of leaking it all over the pan.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep40 min
Cook25 min
Makes12 empanadas
CuisineMexican
Cost$$$
Dairy-free
Contains  eggs · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 12 empanadas
All-purpose flour
A good baking flour builds a tender, flaky dough.
3 cups
Source it →
Ground beef
Well-marbled ground beef keeps the filling moist.
1 lb
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Green olives
Chopped in for briny bite against the rich beef.
1/2 cup
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Eggs
One diced hard-boiled for the filling, one beaten for the wash.
3
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Onion
Finely diced and cooked into the beef.
1
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Using ground beef? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. Make the doughCut cold butter into the flour, add water just until it comes together, and chill 30 minutes.
  2. Cook the fillingBrown the beef with onion and spices, then cool it fully so it does not melt the dough.
  3. Fill and crimpSpoon filling onto rolled rounds, fold over, and crimp the edge with a fork for a tight seal.
  4. Wash and bakeBrush with beaten egg and bake in a hot oven until deep golden and blistered.
The Toolkit

Rolling pin · Round cutter · Sheet pan

Straight Answers
Can you make Beef Empanadas in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Beef Empanadas? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Beef Empanadas ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Beef Empanadas gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Beef Empanadas vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.147

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